Key takeaways
Glipizide/metformin (formerly known as Metaglip) and Actos (pioglitazone) are used to treat type 2 diabetes. Both medications help lower your blood sugar, but they have several differences between them. Glipizide/metformin is a combination of two medications: glipizide, a sulfonylurea that stimulates insulin release from the pancreas, and metformin, a biguanide that reduces sugar production and absorption while improving insulin sensitivity. Pioglitazone, on the other hand, is a thiazolidinedione that improves the body's response to insulin. Glipizide/metformin must be taken with meals to avoid low blood sugar, while pioglitazone can be taken with or without food. Pioglitazone may take several weeks to show its full effect, while glipizide/metformin starts working within 30 minutes. Additionally, pioglitazone has an increased risk of bladder cancer and fluid build-up, which can worsen or cause heart failure. Serious side effects of glipizide/metformin include an increased risk of lactic acidosis and low vitamin B12 levels
